Cuisinart, stainless steel, 10-piece set... our current pots/pans collection is made up entirely of these items:

A scraped-up, very old Calphalon skillet

A very dented little nonstick pot and lid

An old Revereware skillet

A huge Revereware pot with no lid

And we keep them IN the stove, because we have no cabinet space. So this lovely shiny new set I just ordered may have to stay mostly in the box until we buy our house (soon, I hope!!).

But what I'm really excited about is this: since I started a totally new diet about two years ago, I've wanted a really great blender for smoothies, soups, etc. Vita-Mixes are super expensive but amazing. But I got a great deal on this one, too--Amazon Warehouse Deals! I am over-the-moon excited that I ordered this.

AAAAAAH!!!!!!

I can't wait to use it! My husband and I are both SO excited to have Jamba Juice-like smoothies in the comfort of our own home. Ohhh, the possibilities...

Any tips on any of my new goodies, I'd love to hear them! Or if you've recently treated yourself after Christmas...

so i just watched this documentary (on netflix) called fat, sick, and nearly dead. this guy went on a 'juicer' diet. what an amazing and inspiring story. even since ive wanted a juicer so i could make those uber healthy juices/smoothies. good luck. keep us posted on how they turn out and maybe some good recipes!!!

We have a vitamix too, they're pretty bombproof. The only thing I would say is read the book that comes with it...we've had ours around 2 years and I still can't get hubby to use full power for fruit blitzing, then he wonders why the pips survive in his blends????? :)

I have that exact pots and pan set! I was worried early on that it would be hard to take care of them, but actually they're super low maintenance. My tip would be to soak the pans as soon as you're done cooking with some hot soapy water. The sooner the better makes them easier to clean.

Several years ago, we too were working with mismatched, worn out cookware. I began collecting (on sale, ebay, etc.) All-clad stainless cookware. I absolutely love it! With cookware, like shoes, you get what you pay for.The best tip I have for using stainless cookware, is to have Bar Keeper's Friend on hand at all times. It is a cleanser that doesn'nt scratch and works wonderfully on stainless and other surfaces to keep them looking and working like new. Enjoy your new cookware! What delicous culinary masterpiece will you create first?

Oh I'll add to the Vitamix love here too! Well done for treating yourself. You won't regret it. We make breakfast smoothies every day using soaked oats, fresh and/or frozen fruit, a few prunes, a little soy milk, maybe a dash of cinnamon. You can also add in greens like kale or spinach or avocado. It makes the easiest pesto, and perhaps the yummiest thing I invented was mango and raspberry sorbet: the flesh of a fresh mango, frozen raspberries (say a cup), a tray of icecubes and a couple of dessertspoons of sugar. Use the tamper (we were a bit scared by that at first) and in a minute you'll have delicious sorbet!

We use our Vitamix everyday. Save old bananas and freeze them in half on a cookie sheet. Store in freezer bags once frozen. Add to smoothie each morning with other juice/soymilk and fruit. Yummy.The secret to a really good smoothie is the frozen banana. I know cause I used to work at Jamba.

Use dish soap to get most of the junk off, then a sprinkle of bar keepers and a swipe or two with the rag will keep them looking fabulous!! For really gunked on residue, I will let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub if need be.

I just bought myself a brand new Breville Scraper Mixer in the post Christmas sales. I love cooking cakes but at the moment I don't even have a hand mixer so I'm pretty excited about my new purchase. The only problem is that it is so hot at the moment I haven't had a chance to use it as I don't want to heat up the house with the oven.

Suzannah, I use Bar Keeper's Friend for my stainless pots and pans, too. I always wash mine and remove as much food residue as I can with dish soap first, then use BKF, then rinse with soapy water again. I think this is what the can says to do, too. I like the powder form; think it also comes in a liquid.